The demand for natural flavors is increasing both in America and Europe. This project will optimize an innovative technique to recover benzaldehyde (natural cherry flavor) from cherry pit hydrolyzate. The concept is based on the hydrolysis of crushed cherry pits, adsorption of benzaldehyde from hydrolyzate passed through an adsorption bed, and recovery of the benzaldehyde by regenerating the adsorbent with CO2. Preliminary process screening with a synthetic benzaldehyde/water mixture has indicated the scientific and economic viability of the adsorption process. Hydrolyzate adsorption is less favorable than the synthetic mixtures on the same adsorbent, however, another adsorbent has been located with excellent hydrolyzate adsorption characteristics. The main objective of the proposed project is to optimize the adsorption process using cherry pit hydrolyzate and to ensure the commercial viability of natural benzaldehyde from cherry pits.Applications:The proposed process, assuming its commercial viability, would utilize a current waste product, could directly benefit agriculture in Michigan, may lead to product export, and would decrease the current U.S. dependence of foreign imports of similar flavors. Michigan has an annual tart cherry production of approximately 245 million Ibs.-about 73 % of total U.S. production. The pit shells, once separated from the hydrolyzate, can be pyrolyzed to produce a high quality granular activated carbon (GAC) useful in specialty applications.
